Due to my amazing lack of discipline with the blog, there are a LOT of changes to cover since my last post. First and foremost, I am still 100% dry and only three short days from the 6 month/halfway mark! I am so excited that I'm nearing the downhill portion of my journey, because I am officially OVER the complete absence of wine in my life. I get downright irritated sometimes, just dying for a small glass with a nice dinner (notice I didn't say the entire bottle...I really just miss the taste...and the warm/fuzzy feeling).
Unfortunately my social life isn't the only thing that is currently dry - now my skin is right there along with it. I moved back to good old Missouri about two weeks ago and my poor body is attempting to acclimate to this thing people call Winter. I miss the island everyday. I miss riding my bike, seeing and smelling the ocean, my friends, flip flops, running into friendly faces everywhere and especially the sun/warmth. However, I am nothing short of elated to be back in my first home (I've decided I now have two homes - one here, one in KW). Instead of a bike, I now have a pretty sweet black Jetta. Instead of seeing the ocean, I now get to see my mom every single day. My flip flops and sundresses have temporarily been replaced with jeans and boots, but they are eagerly awaiting the change of seasons, or an island visit. I am confident that the friendships I made in Key West are strong enough to withstand distance, and I look forward to picking up right where we left off when I visit (frequently!).
I'll answer your first question about my move home really quickly - no, I do not currently have a job and no, I am not in rush to find one. We spend our entire adult lives working, stressing, working, stressing. I am going to take a couple months to breathe, focus on myself, travel when I want, just be ME! I can work when I'm dead. Oh wait, that's not the saying. Shit.
I'm sure I will get antsy soon enough, but for now I am loving it. I was able to spend Christmas with my family for the first time in three years. I didn't have the stress of work in the back of my head, I didn't have to feel guilty for taking time off: I had nothing to worry about except making the most of my time with the people I care about most. I enjoyed my family and made some wonderful memories. The holidays were not as difficult as I anticipated in terms of temptation to drink. I struggled much more with my eating habits rather than wanting to cave into the eggnog. Luckily my high protein diet and aggressive workouts resulted in gaining nothing throughout the holiday season, even though I really indulged. (I still can't believe my newly acquired sweet tooth - it's a b**** and does not seem to be going away!) I did avoid going out on NYE because I thought that would just be a cruel evening to be sober. Does anyone go out that night without the intent to get completely sloshed? I spent the bitterly cold night at home instead of a crowded club, in sweats and warm socks instead of a tight dress and killer heels, played board games instead of mind games, and drank sparkling water instead of the ceremonial champagne. I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions this year either because I feel like I am already moving in such a great direction. I credit this challenge with 100% of the changes I've made in the past 6 months. I am on track to be at my goal weight by the end of the year (year meaning the end of my challenge, not the end of 2013), and my weight isn't even close to being the only positive outcome I'm reaping. I still have an EXCESSIVE amount of energy...I'm pretty sure my mom is going to smack me one of these days because I talk so damn fast. I'm actually completing projects from Pinterest instead of just pinning them. I'm cooking new recipes. I'm going to new places, and I'm trying new things. Just yesterday, after Amanda's coaxing, I bought a Groupon and gave Bikram Yoga a shot. Oh. My. God. It was 90 minutes of pure torture. I'm pretty sure I hated every single one of those minutes, yet I cannot wait to go back tomorrow morning. I had no idea my body could sweat like that, and I definitely need increased mobility, so I think it's a wonderful way to complement my current workouts. I am consistently pushing my personal boundaries - mentally, physically, spiritually and the rewards continue to amaze me. I will never settle again. Happy New Year everyone - I hope you amaze yourself in 2013!
